Police arrests ‘Prophet’ Onyeze Jesus, accused of “heinous crimes in the name of religion” by Anambra State government

Mr. Onyebuchi Okocha, who also goes by the name ‘Onyeze Jesus’, the Founder of Children of Light Anointing Ministries, Nkpor, Idemili North local government area of Anambra State was arrested by operatives from Anambra Police Command on Wednesday. He was arrested a day before the date he advertised that he will raise seven corpses from the dead in any hospital mortuary in Anambra State. Those who know the self styled Prophet say that he is from Amafor village in Nkpor, near Onitsha and is about 32 years of age. He was once a bus conductor, and never studied beyond Primary Six. A source said that  “Onyeze Jesus is in Nigeria Police custody. He was arrested on Wednesday, 27th January 2021, and would likely be arraigned for various offences on Thursday, 28th January, 2021.” The Anambra State government had on Monday condemned the activities of a self-acclaimed Pastor, Onyeze Jesus, who is laying claims of changing the economic status of his adherents by magical means, saying that it runs counter to “the industry, knowledge, ingenuity, perseverance, a high savings rate and an infectious business drive, all combined to enable them to achieve tremendous success in various fields.” Saying that success is not through any overnight sensation nor through magic, the Anambra State government regretted that the same Onyeze Jesus, who has been advertising in the social media for adherents, “throws a lot of Nigeria’s currency notes into the river and compels his adult followers, both male and female, to bath naked in the river and records them on video which he distributes gleefully to all manner of people through the Internet and other means.” The statement, signed by Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, lamented, among other things that “the Anambra State Government is in possession of some videos produced by one person who goes by the name of Onyeze Jesus based in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state, where he not only claims to change the economic status of his adherents by magical means but also throws a lot of Nigeria’s currency notes into the river and compels his adult followers, both male and female, to bath naked in the river and records them on video which he distributes gleefully to all manner of people through the Internet and other means. “The State Government is appalled at the conduct of this man. Anambra people are famous throughout the world for their industry, knowledge, ingenuity, perseverance, a high savings rate and an infectious business drive, all combined to enable them to achieve tremendous success in various fields. Their success is not overnight nor through magic.” Also, in a related statement, Anambra State Ministry of Health had on Wednesday, 27th January, 2021 warned hospitals and mortuaries operating in the State against allowing ‘Onyeze Jesus’ access to their facilities to carry out his widely publicised claim, and planned ‘magic’ that he would raise 7 corpses from the dead on the 28th of January, 2021. Many people have expressed dismay over some of the videos that ‘Onyeze Jesus’ regularly posts on social media including parading people naked in a river (indecent exposure), abuse of the Nigerian Naira currency, animal cruelty and his get-rich – quick promises to gullible members of the public.